Scriptural Study

There is no process more valuable than to absorb Krishna’s virtues, names, forms, and pastimes, and the principles and process of the soul’s evolution.  In the Vedic scriptures these invaluable facets of the spiritual path are addressed in great detail.  Every spiritually aware person has many questions: Who is God?  What is our natural relationship […]

Arati Ceremony

Arati (pronounced ar’ a tee) is an offering of respect, welcome, or worship to an exalted person. Since the most exalted person is the Supreme Lord, it is most appropriate to offer arati to Him. Arati is one aspect of Deity worship. During arati, auspicious items are offered to the Deity. Guidelines Aratis can be […]

Seva (Devotional Service)

Click here for full slideshow Karmic work is to perform tasks for our own benefit.  We look forward to reaping the fruits of our labors.  On the other hand, seva (selfless service) is devoted to Krishna.  Our labor and everything that results from it are offered to the Lord for His enjoyment.  Such a focus […]

Diet

Prasadam All food when it is prepared is consider bhoga or material food.  We then take a small portion of that and offer it to Krishna in a brief ceremony.  Krishna accepts this offering by ‘consuming’ it on the spiritual plane, and the physical remnants of the offering are called prasadam, or food blessed for […]

Japa & Kirtan – Chanting the Names of God

Japa & kirtan are two indispensable practices on the path to Krishna consciousness. Japa and kirtan are services to God based on the chanting of His Holy Names. By these simple practices all the five senses – seeing, hearing, touching, smelling (incense & flowers), and seeing (chanting is generally enacted in front of a picture […]

Bhakti Yoga

Bhakti means to offer with love and devotion anything one does in life to God. Bhakti means love of God or, as Srila Prabhupada would often translate the word, pure devotional service to God. (The Sanskrit root of the word bhakti is bhaj, which means “loving service.”) Bhakti is the essence of the eternal relationship […]